The next three days of our reading plan will cover the Sermon on the Mount. Jumping to the end of it tells us why it’s important, and brings it back to Matthew’s overall goal of writing his gospel: “...the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one with authority...” (Matthew 7:28-29).
Jesus spoke as God himself, although the people at the time didn’t understand. He has the authority to tell us how to live a life that pleases God.
In Matthew 5:17, Jesus says he has not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it. His Jewish audience traveled to Jerusalem three times a year to sacrifice at the festivals. They painted lamb’s blood on their doorposts every spring to remember how God led his people out of slavery in Egypt. They watched as, one day a year, the High Priest went into the holiest part of the Temple, behind the veil of cloth that separated the sinful people from the holy God. They knew all this. They lived this.
Jesus is telling them he has come to be the final sacrifice. When John records for us the baptism of Jesus, he includes what John the Baptist called out: “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” The writer of Hebrews tells us that Jesus’ death has made a way for us to go beyond the veil, into God’s presence.
The people don’t understand that as they sit on the mountain. Matthew is reminding them years later, and also us: Jesus died so that we can be forgiven and lives so that we can have eternal life.
Prayer: God, thank you for sending Jesus as the final sacrifice for sin. I know I am forgiven because of what he has done for me! I know I can come to you with confidence because the veil is torn apart. Give me the strength to live a life pleasing to you. Amen.